SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR JUNIORS

Campers who are entering 1st through 4th grade are placed in Camp Cayuga’s Junior Division. Our Junior Division Activity Program is carefully designed with sensitivity to the needs and interests of these youngsters. Close supervision, a noncompetitive atmosphere, a diversified activity schedule, caring and supportive counselors, patient and thorough instruction, and mature Division Director guidance are just some of the special features of Cayuga’s Junior Division Program.

ACTIVITY SCHEDULE FOR JUNIORS
Each Junior cabin is provided with its own weekly activity schedule, which is geared to the age and gender of the cabin. The schedule is different each day of the week! Juniors travel together as a “cabin group” to activities under the direct supervision of their counselor. Traveling in cabin groups not only strengthens cabin camaraderie but also ensures close supervision throughout the day. The typical daily schedule for Junior cabins includes 1 period of American Red Cross swim instruction, 1 period of recreational swim, and 5 other periods comprised of a variety of creative arts programs, land activities, and water sports.

“STRUCTURED” ACTIVITIES
About one-half of the daily activity periods are “structured”. This means one activity is offered during the period and the entire cabin group attends and participates in the assigned activity. (“Structured” periods include activities like swim instruction and recreational swim.) The remaining activity periods are “free-choice”.

“FREE CHOICE” ACTIVITIES
Each free-choice period offers up to 6 different activities from which the camper makes his/her selection. All of the activities offered during the “free-choice” period are located within close proximity of one another. This allows the cabin counselor to be within eyesight of his/her campers. For example, “Field Sports” is a free choice period that offers 6 different activities including kickball, t-ball, softball, soccer, field hockey, and ultimate frisbee. All of these activities take place on our athletic field. Whether the camper selects kickball or soccer, he/she will always be within close proximity of his/her counselor and cabin mates. (Incidentally in this example, other Junior cabins are scheduled “Field Sports” at the same time period, so we have plenty of campers to form a number of different teams.) Activity flexibility and individual choice is introduced in the Junior Program through these “free-choice” periods (without compromising supervision)!

DAILY INSTRUCTION
The “cabin-group” activity schedule in the Junior Division Program lends itself to a safe gradual progression in each activity. Instruction is patient and thorough with due regard for both safety and enjoyment. Juniors typically receive instruction during the first-half of each activity period, and have recreational time during the remaining portion.

JUNIOR DIVISION STAFF
Since our beginning we’ve given personal care and attention to our Juniors. We assign at least 2 counselors to each Junior Division cabin. These staff members have been carefully screened and selected for their ability to provide warm mature guidance. They have demonstrated to us through their previous childcare experience the necessary talents required to be a caring and patient counselor. In addition, all counselors attend training sessions and are re-evaluated for appropriate cabin placement during our one-week long staff orientation program.

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH JUNIORS
We’re so confident in our Junior Program, we guarantee it! Our First-Time Camper Guarantee promises a fun and positive camp experience. That is, if your first-time camper departs Cayuga for any reason prior to the end of his/her session, Cayuga will refund your tuition for the days your child missed camp. And that’s a promise! (Please refer to the enrollment application for more details.)